McDonald’s has introduced a healthier cooking oil to make its French fries, which are eaten around the world for their unique taste. Even though the global food industry is under increasing scrutiny over its responsibility for the state of public health in America, the gamble of altering a proven product is far from certain to pay off.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Data Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more


McDonald’s will reduce the level of trans fatty acids (TFAs) in its French fries, although the total fat content will remain unchanged. TFAs are feared to be as much or more a risk for heart disease as saturated fats. The level of TFAs in McDonald’s fries will shrink 47%, saturated fat will drop 16% and polyunsaturated fat will increase by 167%.


The risk of changing the formula is the impact it may have on the taste of the fries, which many fast food chains have tried to replicate without success. There are two parts to this risk. Firstly, there is no guarantee that a ‘better for you’ alternative of an essentially unhealthy food will succeed. Many consumers eat and drink according to a ‘debits and credits’ principle that sees them balance healthy eating with periods of bad or indulgent consumption. For example, eating a healthy yogurt at breakfast enables consumers to indulge in a sausage sandwich later on.


So McDonald’s new fries may have the double impact of not satisfying either those looking to indulge themselves or those wanting healthy fast food. McDonald’s claims that 97% of consumers in a taste test could not tell the difference, but time will tell.


Secondly, despite the dangers of TFAs, they are not as widely known about by consumers as the danger of eating too many calories. Since the new fries will have an unchanged calorie content, McDonald’s needs to ask itself – will enough people care?

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

There is mounting pressure from US consumers and public health authorities for food giants to account for their alleged responsibility in creating an unhealthy nation. However, this move is not a knee-jerk reaction to the case of a 272-pound man suing McDonald’s for allegedly causing his obesity: the company has undoubtedly been preparing it for a long time.


(c) 2002 Datamonitor. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without prior written consent. Datamonitor shall not be liable for errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.